Disney dream vs. Norwegian sky

[mommysaurus]

Has anyone been on both and have an opinion one way or another, particularly with a child? We (8 year old boy and I) have been on the fantasy before and really enjoyed it. However when looking at this vacation for similar rooms Norwegian would save us almost $2k plus alcohol is included (important for this mama!) and it has another port.

I am however concerned that it looks a bit like a booze cruise with the free alcohol and all. Is it still pretty child friendly? My son does have some special needs that DCL was wonderful with and am unsure about rocking the boat so to speak on that.

Still in the beginning planning stages and wondering if I should press on with the dream and forget about NCL. Thanks!

 

[anneliesemt3]

Has anyone been on both and have an opinion one way or another, particularly with a child? We (8 year old boy and I) have been on the fantasy before and really enjoyed it. However when looking at this vacation for similar rooms Norwegian would save us almost $2k plus alcohol is included (important for this mama!) and it has another port.

I am however concerned that it looks a bit like a booze cruise with the free alcohol and all. Is it still pretty child friendly? My son does have some special needs that DCL was wonderful with and am unsure about rocking the boat so to speak on that.

Still in the beginning planning stages and wondering if I should press on with the dream and forget about NCL. Thanks!

My family and I sailed on NCL to Bermuda after our 5th DCL cruise and it was definitely more of a booze cruise. We would see people carrying around buckets of beer all over the ship at all hours of the day. I don't remember seeing many kids on the ship but it was not a week of any school breaks.

 

[shannonetherton]

I have sailed both. The Sky is a party boat for sure. Our kids were probably 7-11 at the time. i was disappointed in the kids clubs as hours were limited and there were even times they had fees. They are just not the same product. Disney is kid focused even on short sailings. The mass market lines are just not designed for major kid entertainment on their shorter sailings. They do better on the longer voyages on new ships.

 

[eskimoinparadise]

IMHO, Disney Dream over NCL anything

 

[mommysaurus]

My family and I sailed on NCL to Bermuda after our 5th DCL cruise and it was definitely more of a booze cruise. We would see people carrying around buckets of beer all over the ship at all hours of the day. I don't remember seeing many kids on the ship but it was not a week of any school breaks.

This would be during a school break. Was there any bad behavior, loudness at all hours, etc. to go along with the beer buckets?

I have sailed both. The Sky is a party boat for sure. Our kids were probably 7-11 at the time. i was disappointed in the kids clubs as hours were limited and there were even times they had fees. They are just not the same product. Disney is kid focused even on short sailings. The mass market lines are just not designed for major kid entertainment on their shorter sailings. They do better on the longer voyages on new ships.

Where the kids clubs more structured than on disney? My son has problems with behavior and does much better in a more structured environment. It looked like from their website they had a discipline policy, etc. that led to a more structured club. I know there is a difference between the two lines...I'm just trying to figure out if it's a two thousand dollar difference, know what I mean?

IMHO, Disney Dream over NCL anything

Hahaha...I know. We were happy on disney but the price difference is so much!

 

[Hundredacre]

I say it is always fun to try something new. We have not tried ncl but are giving it a go in this upcoming year. We have kids of all ages. If you go to cruise critic there is a lot of info on there. It sounds like some kids love the kids clubs on ncl and some kids do not. (But that can be true of dcl too). They do sound like they are more structured on ncl.

 

[mommysaurus]

I say it is always fun to try something new. We have not tried ncl but are giving it a go in this upcoming year. We have kids of all ages. If you go to cruise critic there is a lot of info on there. It sounds like some kids love the kids clubs on ncl and some kids do not. (But that can be true of dcl too). They do sound like they are more structured on ncl.

Thanks. I'll let you know what I think if we end up doing it. Looking into royal caribbean now too...being snowed in I've had a lot of time this weekend to dream about the bahamas.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

While I haven't sailed on Norwegian Sky, we have sailed on both DCL and NCL and, IMHO, NCL is really tacky. It's definitely more of a "booze cruise" line. I remember during one of our sail-aways there were two men standing near us, drinks in hand, with "Drunk 1" and "Drunk 2" t-shirts on. So classy. We stayed in the Haven class on NCL, so we were sort of able to avoid this type of stuff, but I do remember being in the kids' pool area on the Gem when DS was really little and people would stick their kids in there and hit the bar right next to it, only peering into the pool area to "check" on their kids. The customer service on NCL is nowhere near as good as DCL. I had a couple issues on NCL and they really didn't care. So, I would personally spend the extra $2K for DCL. I've never sailed RCCL, but definitely look into that!! We are sailing on Celebrity for our next cruise - we'll see how that goes!! You may want to check out cruise critic. com for information on all of the cruise lines - some really good info over there!

 

[ldo]

alcohol included+shorter cruise = booze cruise, IMHO. I would choose a 4 day RCCL and buy my own alcohol package before I sailed with a child on a "free" unlimited alcohol cruise, IMHO. RCCL also has some reasonable priced 5 day cruises.

 

[mommysaurus]

While I haven't sailed on Norwegian Sky, we have sailed on both DCL and NCL and, IMHO, NCL is really tacky. It's definitely more of a "booze cruise" line. I remember during one of our sail-aways there were two men standing near us, drinks in hand, with "Drunk 1" and "Drunk 2" t-shirts on. So classy. We stayed in the Haven class on NCL, so we were sort of able to avoid this type of stuff, but I do remember being in the kids' pool area on the Gem when DS was really little and people would stick their kids in there and hit the bar right next to it, only peering into the pool area to "check" on their kids. The customer service on NCL is nowhere near as good as DCL. I had a couple issues on NCL and they really didn't care. So, I would personally spend the extra $2K for DCL. I've never sailed RCCL, but definitely look into that!! We are sailing on Celebrity for our next cruise - we'll see how that goes!! You may want to check out cruise critic. com for information on all of the cruise lines - some really good info over there!

Yeah I think I'm off NCL and leaning towards RCCL. Just doesn't look like a great fit for us. I'm not one of those who is at the bar and just checks in on my kid while he's in the pool, on a ship, in the middle of the ocean . I read exactly one thread on cruise critic and someone called the sky a "floating ghetto"...that's enough for me! Maybe 10 years ago when I was in college and childless lol. Thanks for the help.

alcohol included+shorter cruise = booze cruise, IMHO. I would choose a 4 day RCCL and buy my own alcohol package before I sailed with a child on a "free" unlimited alcohol cruise, IMHO. RCCL also has some reasonable priced 5 day cruises.

I know. That was my fear. But then I figured if they have kids clubs, spongebob and friends are on board, and if we go during a school break time it may not be as bad as I was thinking. Sounds like it is though. Now leaning towards RCCL. I'll price out the alcohol package. Thanks...I didn't think of that.

 

[NurseDave]

I know. That was my fear. But then I figured if they have kids clubs, spongebob and friends are on board, and if we go during a school break time it may not be as bad as I was thinking. Sounds like it is though. Now leaning towards RCCL. I'll price out the alcohol package. Thanks...I didn't think of that.

Actually as of Jan 1st, NCL ended their partnership with Nickelodeon

 

[mommysaurus]

Actually as of Jan 1st, NCL ended their partnership with Nickelodeon

NCL was already out of the running but if it wasn't already that would have sealed it haha. My kid is spongebobs #1 fan lol

 

[wdw_monster]

We originally had the sky both for me, DH,sis and Mil. But MIL wanted DCL so we changed it. We still kept the sky for just me and DH a month after DCL. We kept it booked specificly for the booze!! And the price was super cheap.

 

[wdw_monster]

DCL is way better for my mom In law and sis who is autistic. They don't drink at all. They love characters and I know the shows are going to be way better.
The sky looks like a nice ship but not too much to do it seems, the shows don't look that great either. So DH and I decided to just relax, get really drunk and stay in the room most of the time

 

[mommysaurus]

DCL is way better for my mom In law and sis who is autistic. They don't drink at all. They love characters and I know the shows are going to be way better.
The sky looks like a nice ship but not too much to do it seems, the shows don't look that great either. So DH and I decided to just relax, get really drunk and stay in the room most of the time

Yeahhhh...doesn't sound like a good plan for my 8 year old.

 

[KelNel]

This is an encouraging thread since I don't drink. I'll be with small children but they're not mine. Mine is a little older. So excited!